FO: Tosh Vintage Circle Shrug

CO: March 7th, 2011

BO: April 3rd, 2011 (there were 2 weeks in between that I did not work on this at all, however)

Pattern: Textured Circle Shrug by Stefanie Japel, KAL entries from Lion Brand were very helpful at different stages of knitting this up.

Needles: 4.5 mm (US 7) for the body and sleeves, 3.5 mm (US 4) for the neck trim and 5 mm (US 8) for the bind off.

Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage, 100% merino, worsted weight, superwash, about 5.6 skeins in lepidoptra colourway. I used just a bit over 1 skein for the back section, then 1 skein per each sleeve and somewhat over 2 skeins for the neck trim. If knitting the sleeves shorter and maybe tighter, one might get away with 4 skeins in total.

Mods: 

- Cast on 50 sts, 10 for each sleeve and 30 for the back.

- Separated to be worked on the back when there were 62 sts for each sleeve and 82 sts for the back. Reduced the back sts to 26. Reduced sleeve sts to 46 sts.

- Added some short rows to make the back portion somewhat longer.

Fit/ thoughts:

This is a very genius pattern. The ribbing section for the neck trim lies down very nicely and hugs one's figure around the waist. The seed stitch pattern then opens up the tight fabric and gives it a nice finishing touch. I'm tempted to knit another one, maybe in some lighter yarn, but I don't think I'd go for the textured stripe pattern on the back and sleeves portion again.
I am looking for a nice brooch for closure as once the baby is out, I'd like to be able to wear it closed as well. All in all, this is a success knit. And it's been awhile that I knit something for myself and actually wore it afterwards. It's a nice feeling that I had almost forgotten.